Comments on: Designing through a recession

By: J Weaver

J Weaver — Wed, 19 May 2010 10:30:15 +0000

Really enjoyed reading this, its a nice take on the economic client effecting the creative industries. As myself I feel that just getting a bit more exposure, has basically offset any decrease in sales. I feel I have adapted well to these times.
Thanks for this great positive take.

By: David Airey

David Airey — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 22:27:14 +0000

It’s my pleasure, Devan. Thanks for sharing your story with everyone, too, and good luck in 2010.

By: Devan Gunderson

Devan Gunderson — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 03:21:32 +0000

I went from being a freelancer to a full service (but small) agency in 2008. Right smack dab in the middle of the recession in the midwest, we were booming. 2009 wasn’t as pretty for us. Loyal clients, who I’d had for years, began ignoring bills or making up their own payment terms. Everyone wanted something for free. Our agency’s rates are already at freelancer prices, so I can’t afford to create free design work—which is exactly what a lot of my time turned into.

During this recession, we have seen, however, that people are spending their marketing dollars wisely with much consideration. If you can back up your solid design with education to the client, resources to help them make that decision, and friendly payment policies (but ones that help you!), you’ll keep and gain clients.

Our goal for 2010 is to become more visible and remain loyal to our current client base by contacting them on a regular basis to check in. Both are good practices we should have been living by even before the downturn in the economy. …But, I guess it’s the tough times that make you sit back and evaluate these kinds of things.

Thank you for this wonderful resource of conversation.

By: Kate Allen

Kate Allen — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 04:34:32 +0000

Really enjoyed your thoughts about the effect of a financial downturn on a freelancer, particularly in creative industries. As a freelancer myself I have seen lots of new opportunities as a result cutbacks and have personally found the platform I work from is easier to adapt to uncertain times.
Thanks for the positive take on being a designer in a recession!

By: David Airey

David Airey — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 14:58:23 +0000

Emma,

I hope your project goes well, and I’m very glad the comments here have shed a positive light on things.

By: Emma Goss

Emma Goss — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 14:40:42 +0000

I am currently coming to the end of my third year at university, and i am focusing my final major project on how the recession is affecting design companies and freelancers. Everyone’s comments have been so helpful, and extremely interesting. I am really pleased for all the people doing so well in this tough time of the recession, I feel a lot more confident entering the big world after graduation!
So thank you!!

By: Curt

Curt — Sat, 21 Feb 2009 12:02:58 +0000

this is a nice post as usual. you know how to make people interested on a subject. i appreciate you. you must keep going. wish you all the best.

By: Dean Cowart

Dean Cowart — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 00:44:07 +0000

Yes, great post. It’s good to see the optimism. I try to tell myself that anyone in design can have a great year – it’s just a matter of great you are at pitching it to your clients! ;) So to sum up, restaraunt owner = bad, designer = all good.

By: David Airey

David Airey — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 17:20:26 +0000

Timothy,

I don’t think you’re wrong at all. There are plenty of opportunities, in many industries other than design. Sadly, a lot of people are losing their jobs, but I don’t believe the employment has gone — just moved to another sector.

Jeremy,

I’ve also had more approaches from startups. They won’t commit as readily as established businesses, but they’re certainly looking for design work.

By: Jeremy

Jeremy — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 14:17:07 +0000

Excellent article, it is nice to see a handful of designers with such positive attitudes about the current economic climate. I personally have noticed an interesting trend not in the number of requests for work, which has increased, but in the type of request that I have been receiving. I have been in contact with several new clients over the past few months, business professionals who because of the economic conditions have turned to some form of entrepreneurship as an alternative. Instead of scrambling to find a job with the competing marketing firm down the street, they have made the decision to go into business for themselves.

Based on these experiences I would say that now is a great time for designers and developers (especially freelancers and small firms) as every new start up needs your services. Whether it be logo design or web development, there are quite a few people out there looking to put a brand on their business.